Thibodaux Man Arrested For Alleged Insurance Fraud

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents arrested a Thibodaux man for alleged insurance fraud on March 13 following a boating crash incident in Concordia Parish.

Agents arrested Joshua Keith Soileau, 30, for filing false public records and cited him for gross littering and criminal mischief.

Soileau stated to LDWF Agents that he had tied his boat up to a tree along the Red River the evening before and returned to the boat in the morning and it was gone. Soileau stated that he and his friends found several items floating that were in his boat, which led him to believe that the boat might have sunk.

Based on the items that were recovered by Soileau, agents found evidence that led them to discover the boat was possibly sunk on purpose. After interviewing Soileau a second time, he admitted to sinking his boat because he wanted to purchase a new one with the insurance money. Soileau was then arrested and booked into the Concordia Parish Jail.

Filing false public records carries a fine up to $5,000, or up to five years in jail with or without hard labor or both. Gross littering carries a fine up to $100 and eight hours of community service in a litter abatement work program as approved by the court. Criminal mischief carries a fine up to $500, up to six months in jail or both.